Ophthalmic Lens With An Optically Transparent Composite Film Exhibiting Both Impact-Resistance Property And Polarizing Property, And A Process For Its Manufacture

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a light polarizing ophthalmic lens comprising a substrate made of organic glass and an optically transparent composite film deposited on the front main face of the substrate, said transparent composite film comprising a latex layer having an outer main face provided with parallel microgrooves, and a polarizing dye material filling at least partially the said microgrooves. The present invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of the light polarizing ophthalmic lens.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a light polarizing ophthalmic lens madeof organic glass with an optically transparent composite film exhibitingboth impact-resistance and polarizing properties, and to a process forits manufacture.

It is known that the manufacture of polarizing lenses raises variousproblems related to the solubility of the polarizing materials(generally polarizing particles) in the surrounding environments, aswell as their very low mechanical strength.

A number of solutions have been proposed in the state of the art.

Some of them have consisted in associating an organic polarizing film ofthe polyvinyl alcohol type with one or two (“sandwich”) elements ofglass. These solutions of the prior art have the followingdisadvantages:

-   -   the complexity of bonding the polarizing film to an optical        substrate without deforming the direction of polarization, as        indicated in the French patent FR 76 18891,    -   the weight of the assemblies thus obtained, which are not        compatible with conventional lenses utilised in spectacles, and        finally,    -   the extremely high cost of such products, which is a result of        their complexity.

Other solutions have consisted in providing polarizing films of thepolyvinyl acetate or polyvinyl butyrate type bonded onto the concaveface of an inorganic spectacle lens. But these films have a very pooroptical quality and a significant sensitivity to scratching.Furthermore, it is necessary to protect them from moisture.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,028, U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,668, U.S. Pat. No.4,683,153 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,925 describe laminated, transparent,polarizing glass articles, comprising a support of inorganic or organicglass having parallel microgrooves, formed on one of the faces of thesupport, a polarizing coating deposited on the said face of the support,and a composite film of polyurethane constituted by a thermoplasticpolyurethane side and a thermosetting polyurethane side, thethermoplastic polyurethane side adhering to the polarizing coating.However, a consequence of this technique is that it is necessary toreplace the whole lens if defects appear in the microgrooves. Anotherconsequence of this technique is that the impact strength is reduced atthe microgrooves. Furthermore, nothing is said concerning the mechanicalstrength of the lens.

Japanese patent application H2-96371 describes a method for forming apolarizing film having a polarizing function, which is applied to liquidcrystal display components (LCD). The polarizing film is a layer ofphotosensitive resin dyed using iodine or a dichromatic dye as thepolarizing element. Numerous fine grooves are formed in the surface ofthis layer of photosensitive resin by performing interference exposureand development processes using holographic techniques. The polarizingelement is oriented and dyed in these fine grooves. However, nothing issaid in this patent application concerning the mechanical strength ofthis polarizing film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The applicant has now discovered, unexpectedly, that it is possible todeposit an optically transparent composite film, exhibiting bothpolarizing property and impact-resistance property.

The applicant has discovered that it is possible to realize such acomposite film by employing a latex layer in which microgrooves areformed, and then filling at least these fine microgrooves with apolarizing dye material.

The layering of the latex layer and the polarizing dye material inaccordance with the present invention makes it possible to produce anophthalmic lens with a transparent composite film having bothimpact-resistant property and polarizing property which is deposited onthe front face of the substrate, whereas it is generally admitted thatan impact-resistant layer is preferably deposited on the rear face ofthe substrate.

However, it is also within the scope of the invention to optionally, andpreferably, apply a classical non polarizing primer coating improvingthe impact resistance on the rear face of the substrate.

By rear face of the substrate or of the lens it is meant the face, whichin use, will be the closest to the weaver's eye. Conversely, the frontface of the substrate or of the lens is the face, which in use, will bethe furthest to the weaver's eye.

The lenses bearing the polarizing and impact resistant primer coatingaccording to the invention passes the FDA drop ball test (impact of a 16g ball dropped from a height of 1.27 m) (ANSI Z87.1-1989 standard),while keeping very good optical qualities such as low visual haze or novisual haze.

Preferably lenses bearing the polarizing and impact resistance primercoating according to the invention has a mechanical strength resistantto impact energy of not smaller than 2 times the impact energy of theFDA drop ball test (equal to 0.2 joules), preferably not smaller than 3,and even better than 4 times.

Preferably, the lenses bearing the polarizing and impact resistanceprimer coating according to the invention are thin, i.e. they preferablyhave a center thickness of less than 2 mm, more preferably less than 1.5mm and even better less or equal to 1.2 mm.

Another subject of the invention relates to a process for themanufacture of a lens as defined above.

Other subjects will become apparent in the light of the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide an ophthalmic lens, which permitssatisfaction of the above-mentioned needs.

More precisely, the present invention is concerned with an ophthalmiclens comprising:

-   -   a. a substrate made of organic glass, said substrate comprising        front and rear main faces,    -   b. an optically transparent composite film deposited on the        front main face of the substrate, said transparent composite        film comprising:        -   a latex layer having an outer main face provided with            parallel microgrooves, and        -   a polarizing dye material filling at least partially the            said microgrooves.

By outer main face of the composite film, it is meant, in the sense ofthe present invention, the face of the film opposite to the face incontact with the substrate.

Preferably, the polarizing dye material fills at least 50% of the volumeof the microgrooves.

The polarizing dye material may also fill totally the aforesaidmicrogrooves, or may even preferably form a continuous layer over thesaid microgrooves.

The substrates of the lenses in accordance with the present inventionare substrates made of organic glass which are commonly employed fororganic ophthalmic lenses.

By way of preference, there may be mentioned:

-   -   (1) diethylene glycol bis(allylcarbonate) (sold under the trade        name CR-39 allyldiglycolcarbonate by the Company PPG Industries        Inc). polymer and copolymer based substrates;    -   (2) (Meth)acrylic polymer and copolymer based substrates such as        substrates obtained by polymerization of acrylic monomers        derived from bisphenol A, in particular those obtained by        polymerization of a composition containing:    -   A a component (A) including: at least 50 % by weight of a        monomer or a mixture of monomers, corresponding to the formula        (I):        in which R₁ and R₂, which are identical or different, denote        hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl; X denotes        m+n are between 0 and 10    -   0 to 50% by weight of one or a number of mono-or polyfunctional        vinyl, acrylic or methacrylic comonomer(s) (II);    -   B a component (B) present in proportions of    -   0.5 to 15% by weight, preferably 1 to 5% by weight relative to        the weight of the components I+II, including a compound of        formula (III):        in which:    -   R₃ and R₄ denote hydrogen, or else one of the radicals R₃ or R₄        is a hydrogen atom while the other forms a ring with R₇        containing 5 to 10 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by one        or a number of linear or branched C₁-C₄ alkyl group(s);    -   R₅, R₆ and R₇ are chosen, independently of one another, from the        hydrogen atom and C₁-C₆ alkyl groups which may be substituted by        one or more OH group(s) and the chain of which may optionally be        interrupted by one or more ether, ester or keto group(s), it        being possible for R₇ to form a C₅-C₁₀ ring optionally        substituted by one or a number of linear or branched C₁-C₄ alkyl        group(s), with one of the radicals R₃ or R_(4.)

(3) the glasses obtained by polymerization of allyl monomers derivedfrom bisphenol A, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,429,and more particularly those obtained by polymerization of a compositioncontaining:

-   -   (A) a component (A) including at least 50% by weight of a        monomer or a mixture of monomers, corresponding to the formula        (1):        in which:    -   X denotes    -   and R and R′ are chosen from H and CH₃;    -   0 to 50% by weight of one or a number of mono-or polyfunctional        allyl, vinyl, acrylic or methacrylic comonomer(s) (2);    -   (B) a component (B) including from    -   0.2 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.3 to 5 % by weight relative        to the weight of the components (1) and (2), of a compound of        formula (3):    -   in which R₁₁ and R₁₂ denote hydrogen or else one of the        radicals, R₁₁ or R₁₂ is a hydrogen atom, while the other forms a        C₅ or C₇-C₁₀ ring with R₉, optionally substituted by one or a        number of linear or branched C₁-C₄ alkyl group(s);    -   R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are chosen, independently of one another, from        the hydrogen atom and C₁-C₆ alkyl groups which may be        substituted by one or more OH group(s) and the chain of which        may optionally be interrupted by one or more ether, ester or        keto group(s); it being possible for R₉ to form a C₅ or C₇-C₁₀        ring optionally substituted by one or a number of linear or        branched alkyl group(s) with one of the groups R₁₁ or R₁₂.

Other examples of substrates that can be employed according to theinvention which may be mentioned are:

-   -   (4) the substrates obtained from poly(methyl methacrylate);    -   (5) the substrates obtained from a polystyrene resin;    -   (6) the substrates obtained from a resin based on diallyl        phthalate;    -   (7) thio(meth)acrylate polymer and copolymer based substrates;    -   (8) polythiourethane polymer and copolymer based substrates;    -   (9) polyurethane-urea or polythiourethane-urea copolymer based        substrates;    -   (10) epoxy and/or episulfide polymer and copolymer based        substrates;    -   (11) thermoplastic polycarbonate substrates;    -   (12) thiol-ene polymer based substrates.

The latex layer of the transparent composite film of the invention canbe made from any latex composition typically used for forming animpact-resistant primer coating.

By definition, an impact-resistant primer coating is a coating whichimproves the impact resistance of the finished optical article (forinstance an ophthalmic lens such as in the present invention) ascompared with the same optical articles without the impact resistantcoating.

The latex layer of the transparent composite film of the invention canbe made from a latex composition such as a poly(meth)acrylic latex, apolyurethane latex or a polyester latex.

Preferably, the latex is a polyurethane latex.

Some polyurethane latex usable in the process of the invention aredescribed for example in EP 680492.

Preferably, all particles of the latex have a size of less than 100 nm,and more than 90% of the particles have a size of less than 10 nm, morepreferably less than 5 nm.

The preferred latexes are anionically stabilized.

Another preferred feature of the latex usable in the process of theinvention is that the latexes are not crosslinked.

Preferably, the glass transition temperature Tg of the latex, oncecured, is less than 0° C., more preferably less than −20° C., betterless than −40° c., the preferred range being −40° C. to −60° C.

Among the preferred latex compositions, there may be cited the acryliclatex commercialized under the name Acrylic latex A-639 commercializedby Zeneca and polyurethane latex commercialized under the names W-240,and W-234 by Baxenden (W-234 has a Mn of nearly 12600g and 40% by weightsolid content).

The latex layer of the transparent composite film of the inventionpresents the advantage that it can easily be removed and replaced, when,for instance, the microgrooves present some defects.

Furthermore, the latex layer of the transparent composite film of theinvention has the added benefit of “healing” the microgrooves with time.This feature should reduce perceptible haze as compared to a scratchedhard layer such as glass.

According to the present invention the thickness of the latex layer,generally ranges from 0.5 μm to 5 μm, preferably from 0.5 to 2 μm andmore particularly of about 1 μm.

As previously mentioned, the parallel microgrooves are formed on theouter face of the latex layer which is opposite to the substrate.Preferably, the depth of the said microgrooves ranges from 50 to 300 nm,and more particularly is of about 100 nm. The width of the saidmicrogrooves preferably ranges from 5 nm to 5 micrometers, preferably toless than 1 micrometer, and even better 5 nm to less then 500 nm.

The polarizing dye material can be of various types.

Examples of typical polarizing dye materials that may be used in thepresent invention are disclosed in patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,028 andU.S. Pat. No. 4,865,668.

For instance, an example of a suitable dye material is made from acomposition comprising a mixture of three colorants corresponding to thethree primary colors blue-red-yellow and exhibiting a nematic state.Suitable organic colorants have been commercialized by the 3M company ofSt Paul, Minn., U.S.A., under the brand name “3M Veri-light 25”.

These dyes are available from Sterling Optics (William Town Ky.) underthe trade mane “Veri-light 2P”.

Upon polarizing dye materials, mention may also be made of those madefrom polarizing dye compositions comprising organic dyes, for instancethose sold by the firm Sterling Optics, and an activator, for instancean alkaline wetting agent. The concentration of the dyes in thesepolarizing dye compositions ranges from 4 to 10 % solids.

The ophthalmic lenses according to the invention may further be coatedwith a hard abrasion-resistant coating deposited on the opticallytransparent composite film, and optionally with an anti-reflectioncoating applied to the abrasion-resistant coating.

By definition, a hard abrasion-resistant coating is a coating, whichimproves the abrasion resistance of a layer stack as compared to thesame layer stack but without the abrasion-resistant coating.

The hard abrasion-resistant coating employed according to the presentinvention can be any hard abrasion-resistant coating. These hardabrasion-resistant coatings are well known in the art.

Among the abrasion-resistant hard coatings recommended in the presentinvention, mention may be made of coatings obtained from compositionsbased on a silane hydrolysate, particularly an epoxysilane hydrolysate,such as those described in French Patent Application N°93/02649 and inU.S. Pat. No. 4,211,823.

A preferred abrasion-resistant hard coating composition comprises, withrespect to the total weight of the composition, approximately 22% ofglycidoxy-propylmethyldimethoxysilane, 62% of colloidal silica with asolid content of 30% and 0.7% of aluminium acetylacetonate (a catalyst),the balance essentially consisting of the solvents conventionally usedfor formulating such compositions.

Preferably, the hydrolysate used is a hydrolysate ofγ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GLYMO) and of dimethyldiethoxysilane(DMDES).

The thickness of the hard abrasion-resistant coating is generallybetween 1 and 10 μm and more particularly between 2 and 6 μm.

The hard abrasion-resistant coating can be applied on the opticallytransparent composite film using any classical method such as spin, dipor flow-coating.

As indicated above, the ophthalmic lens according to the invention mayfurthermore include an anti-reflection coating deposited on theabrasion-resistant coating.

By way of example, the anti-reflection coating may consist of amonolayer or multilayer film of dielectric materials such as SiO₁, SiO₂,Si₃N₄, TiO₂, ZrO₂, Al₂O, MgF₂ or Ta₂O₅ or their mixtures.

In this way, it becomes possible to prevent the appearance of areflection at the lens/air interface.

This anti-reflection coating is generally applied by vacuum depositionusing one of the following techniques:

-   -   1. by evaporation, possibly assisted by an ion beam;    -   2. by ion beam sputtering;    -   3. by cathodic sputtering;    -   4. by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition.

Apart from vacuum deposition, it is also conceivable for an inorganiclayer to be deposited by the sol-gel route, for example, usingtetraethoxysilane hydrolysates.

If the film comprises a single layer, its optical thickness must beequal to λ/a where λ is a wavelength lying between 450 and 650 nm.

In the case of a multilayer film comprising three layers, a combinationcorresponding to respective optical thicknesses of λ/4-λ/2-λ/4 orλ/4-λ/4-λ/4 may be used.

It is also possible to use an equivalent film formed by more layers,instead of any of the layers forming part of the three aforementionedlayers.

The ophthalmic lenses according to the invention may also be coated withan additional hydrophobic top coat deposited on the anti-reflectingcoating.

The hydrophobic top coat constitutes, in the finished optical article,the outermost coating, and is intended for improving dirty markresistance of the finished optical article and in particular of theanti-reflecting coating.

Such hydrophobic top coats are well known in the art and are usuallymade of fluorosilanes or fluorosilazanes i.e. silicones or silazanesbearing fluorine-containing groups. Example of a preferred hydrophobictop coat material is the product commercialized by Shin Etsu under thename KP 801M, or OPTOOL DSX from Daikin.

Thickness of the hydrophobic top coat usually ranges from 1 to 30 nm,preferably 1 to 15 nm.

As said previously, the rear face can be optionally and preferablycoated with an impact resistance primer whose preferred constitutingmaterial is the same as described above.

An abrasion resistant coating and/or an antireflective coating may befurther deposited in this order on the primer coating.

The invention is also concerned with a process for obtaining such anophthalmic lens comprising the following steps:

-   -   a. providing a substrate made of organic glass having front and        rear main faces,    -   b. optionally carefully cleaning and drying the front face of        the substrate, which is to receive an optically transparent        composite film comprising a latex layer and a polarizing dye        material,    -   c. applying on the front face of the substrate a latex        composition and drying or partially precuring said composition        to form a dry latex layer having an outer face,    -   d. preparing the front face of the latex layer by forming        parallel microgrooves on the said front face of the latex layer,    -   e. depositing a polarizing dye material on the front face of the        said latex layer with the said microgrooves, the said        microgrooves being at least partially filled by the polarizing        dye material and,    -   f. treating the resulting dye material for fixing the said        polarizing dye material. Preferably the fixing of said        polarizing dye is made by heating the dye with an aqueous        solution of inorganic salts in order to reduce the water        solubility of said dye material.

After step “f” a hard coat (abrasion resistant coating) may optionallybe deposited and further coated by an antireflective coating(optionally).

The parallel microgrooves may also be totally filled, or even preferablycovered by a continuous layer of the said polarizing dye material.

The latex composition can be applied on the front face of the substrateusing any classical method such as spin, dip or flow coating.

The latex composition can be simply dried at ambient temperature oroptionally precured at higher temperature before applying the polarizingdye material.

After the latex composition has been applied onto the front face ofsubstrate, the latex composition may be dried at ambient temperature orcured at a temperature ranging from 30 to 200° C., preferably from 60 to150° C., and particularly for 1 to 60 minutes.

Optimal conditions are 80° C. for 15 minutes.

Depending upon the nature of the latex composition, thermal curing,UV-curing or a combination of both can be used.

The parallel microgrooves may be made, on the outer face of thetransparent composite film, with the aid of a gentle abrasion of thesaid outer face.

For instance, the outer face of the transparent composite film may berubbed by using a soft cloth and abrasives.

Example of a preferred soft cloth is the product commercialized byBuehler under the name Nanocloth Psa.

Example of preferred abrasives are alumina abrasive, particularly thosecommercialized by Buehler, which have a diameter of 0.05, 0.3 and 1.0microns.

The microgrooves may also be made through a process comprising a stepfor transferring a microstructure corresponding to the microgrooves froma mould, an internal face of which supports the said microstructure.Example of such a molding process that may be used in the presentinvention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,851 and EP 1039994, whichcan be referred to for more details and whose teachings are incorporatedherein by reference. In such a molding process, transfer moldingtechniques such as die-stamping, overmolding and in-mould coating may beused to provide the microgrooves in the latex layer.

In the overmolding technique, a curable monomer and/or liquid polymer isinjected between the surface of a lens and the surface of a lens moldpart. The monomer and/or polymer is cured and once the mold part isremoved, one obtain a lens having a replicated microgroove pattern in athin layer of polymer at the surface of the lens.

Another technique for manufacturing the lens having the front face witha latex layer bearing microgrooves may be to use a film bearing on oneside a latex layer having already microgrooves at its surface and makethe other side of this film adhere to the core of a lens substrate, forexample by sticking this film to an already cured lens substrate or byputting it into contact with a curable lens material and cure thecurable lens material.

During this step, there is no modification of the structure of themicrogrooves.

If the microgrooves are made with the aid of a very gentle abrasion ofthe outer face of the transparent composite film, the preparation of thesaid outer face may be followed by a cleaning step to remove allabrasive particles.

This cleaning step may comprise:

-   -   rinsing with water the outer face of the transparent composite        film, and then washing it with a soft cloth,    -   rinsing again with deionized water the said outer face, and then        drying it.

After cleaning, the latex layer may be placed, prior to coating, in aroom with a controlled atmosphere of 30±1° C. and a relative humidity of30±10%. The lens is then equilibrated to desired temperature generally30° C. for at least 3 minutes.

The polarizing dye material may be deposited by spin coating in themicrogrooves of the latex layer, with an application speed varyinggenerally from 100 to 500 rpm and spinning at a speed ranging generallyfrom 500 to 1500 rpm for 60 s.

After the polarizing dye material has been applied, it is then treatedwith an aqueous solution of inorganic salts, in order to reduce thewater solubility of the aforesaid polarizing coating.

Among the inorganic salts, there may be cited: dehydrated bariumchloride, aluminum chloride, or barium chloride, for instance thosecommercialized by Aldrich.

After such a treatment, the lens is generally rinsed thoroughly withdeionized water and dried.

The process for producing a lens of the invention may also include,after applying the transparent composite film on the front face of thesubstrate, the following steps:

-   -   applying a hard abrasion-resistant coating on the transparent        composite film, and/or,    -   applying an anti-reflection coating on the hard        abrasion-resistant coating, and/or,    -   applying an hydrophobic top coat on the anti-reflection coating.

In a preferred embodiment, one also applies on the rear face of the lensa primer coating such as a latex coating chosen preferably within thesame latex as the latex used for primer coating the front face of thelens.

The following example illustrates the present invention. In the example,unless otherwise indicated all percentages and parts are expressed byweight.

EXAMPLE 1

The application of an optically transparent composite film of theinvention onto substrates made of CR 39® (ORMA® lenses, Orma is aregistered trade mark of Essilor International) was effected as follows,in four stages:

1. Application of the latex layer

After cleaning and drying the front face of the substrate, a latex layer(W234 sold from the Baxenden company), was deposited on the front faceof the substrate, by spin coating. The required quantity 2 to 3 mL ofthe latex was deposited from the center of the edge of the rotatingsubstrate (rotation speed : 500 r.p.m.) in 5 seconds. The rotation speedof the substrate was then increased to 750 r.p.m., so that the laterfilm reached a uniform thickness, and this rotation speed maintained for8 seconds. The rotation was then stopped and the lens was dried at 80°C. for 15 minutes in an oven.

2. Preparation of the outer face of the latex layer

The outer face of the latex layer (which is opposite to the substrate)is rubbed using the soft cloth Nanocloth Psa® sold by BUEHLER andalumina abrasives, also sold by BUHLER. Rubbing is performed by hand inas uniform back and forth manner, applying a slight pressure.

After the application of the latex layer in the substrate, the lens iscleaned to remove all abrasive particles, and then rinsed with water,washed with Joy soap commercial dishwashing detergent, and then rinsedwith deionized water, and finally dried under a lens dryer.

The lens, prior to coating with the polarizing dye material, is placedin a room with a controlled atmosphere of 30±1° C. and 50±10% relativehumidity.

3. Application of the polarizing dye material

The lens is then equilibrated to the desired temperature, 30° C., for atleast 3 minutes.

Once the desired temperature is reached, the face of the latex layerwith the microgrooves is spin coated with a polarizing dye materialcomprising organic dyes, for instance those sold by the firm SterlingOptics, and an activator, for instance an alkaline wetting agent. Thedyes represent, in the polarizing dye material, from 4 to 10% solids.

Once the polarizing dye material is applied, it is then fixed to reducethe water solubility. To this end, the lens is dipped for 20 s to 30minutes into a 20% aqueous salt solution of (an) inorganic salt(s) whichmay be selected among barium chloride dehydrate, aluminium chloride orbarium chloride from the firm Aldrich.

The lens is then rinsed thoroughly with deionized water and dried.

4. Coating

A hard coat can be applied to protect the dye layer, and is generallyand preferably the same as the hard abrasion-resistant coating describedpreviously.

Obviously the invention is not limited at the details of the methoddescribed above by way of a single example and may, in particular,comprise other steps or be subject to variations, while still remainingwith the protection defined by the claims.

EXAMPLES 2 and 3

6 base Orma plano lenses (base=530/R, R in mm) are treated according tothe same protocol as in example 1. Then a hard coat HC1 is deposited onthe primer.

In the comparative experiments (comp 1 and 2), no microgrooves and nopolarizing dyes are present. Then, impact resistance of lenses aretested using the same protocol as the FDA protocol except that theenergy of the impact is increased by increasing the height of the dropfall.

When a crack visible by the naked eye appears, one notes the impactresistance and an average value (Eavg in millijoules) is calculated andis reported in the table hereafter.

It is seen from the result in the table herafter that even if the latexlayer comprises microgrooves and a polarizing dye (Sterling dye), oneobtains similar results in terms of impact resistance, i.e. there is nodecrease of impact resistance due to microgrooves and polarizing dye.Primer Sterling dye Hard coat Eavg Lens material cc cx cx cc cx mJ Comp1 221-106-1 Orma* PU PU — HC1 HC1 3482 Ex2 221-108-1 Orma* PU PU yes HC1HC1 3701 Comp 2 221-108-2 Orma* — PU — HC1 HC1 1570 Ex3 221-108-5 Orma*— PU yes HC1 HC1 1480PU is a latex W234 from Baxenden.HC1 is a hard coat based on a hydrolyzate of Gamma Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane.Cc: concave side (back side or rear side: the lens side closest to thewearer's eye).Cx: convex side (front side: opposite to the back side).

1. An ophthalmic lens comprising: a) a substrate made of organic glass,said substrate comprising front and rear main faces, b) an opticallytransparent composite film deposited on the front main face of thesubstrate, said transparent composite film comprising: a latex layerhaving an outer main face provided with parallel microgrooves, and apolarizing dye material filling at least partially the saidmicrogrooves.
 2. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the polarizingdye material fills at least 50% of the volume of the microgrooves. 3.The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the polarizing dye materialtotally fills the microgrooves.
 4. The ophthalmic lens of claim 3,wherein the polarizing dye material forms a continuous layer over themicrogrooves.
 5. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the polarizingdye material is made from a mixture comprising organic colorants and analkaline wetting agent.
 6. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein theorganic colorants correspond to the three primary colours and exhibit anematic state.
 7. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the depth ofthe microgrooves ranges from 50 to 300 nm.
 8. The ophthalmic lens ofclaim 1, wherein the depth of the microgrooves is about 100 nm.
 9. Theophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the width of the microgrooves rangesfrom 5 nm to 5 micrometers.
 10. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, whereinthe width of the microgrooves ranges from 5 nm to less than 1micrometer.
 11. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the thickness ofthe latex layer ranges from 0.5 to 5 μm.
 12. The ophthalmic lens ofclaim 1, wherein the thickness of the latex layer ranges from 0.5 to 2μm.
 13. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the thickness of thelatex is about 1 μm.
 14. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein thelatex is poly(meth)acrylic latex, polyurethane latex or polyester latex.15. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the substrate is chosenfrom: (I) the glasses obtained by polymerization of diethylene glycolbis(allyl carbonate); (II) the glasses obtained by polymerization ofacrylic monomers derived from bisphenol A; (III) the glasses obtained bypolymerization of allyl monomers derived from bisphenol A.
 16. Theophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the substrate is chosen from: (A)the glasses obtained from poly(methyl methacrylate); (B) the glassesobtained from polystyrene resin; (C) the glasses made of resin based ondiallyl phthalate.
 17. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the lensfurther comprises a hard abrasion resistant coating deposited on theoptically transparent composite film.
 18. The ophthalmic lens of claim17, wherein the hard abrasion resistant coating is a polysiloxanecoating.
 19. The ophthalmic lens of claim 18, wherein the polysiloxanecoating is obtained by curing a hydrolysate of silanes containing anepoxysilane.
 20. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the lensfurther comprises an anti-reflection coating deposited on the hardabrasion-resistant coating.
 21. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, whereinthe lens further comprises a hydrophobic top coat deposited on theanti-reflection coating.
 22. A process for the manufacture of anophthalmic lens: a) providing a substrate made of organic glass havingfront and rear and rear main faces, b) optionally cleaning and dryingthe front face of the substrate, which is to receive an opticallytransparent composite film comprising a latex layer and a polarizing dyematerial, c) applying on the front face of the substrate a latexcomposition and drying or partially precuring said composition to form adry latex layer having an outer face, d) preparing the face of the latexlayer opposite to the substrate by forming parallel microgrooves on thesaid face of the latex layer, e) depositing a polarizing dye material onthe front face of the said latex layer having the microgrooves, the saidmicrogrooves being at least partially filled by the polarizing dyematerial, f) treating the resulting polarizing dye material for fixingthe polarizing dye material.
 23. The process of claim 22, wherein, instep f), the treatment of the polarizing dye is made in aqueous solutionof inorganic salts in order to reduce the water solubility of said dyematerial.
 24. The process of claim 22, wherein at least 50% of thevolume of the microgrooves are filled by the polarizing dye material.25. The process of claim 22, wherein the parallel microgrooves aretotally filled by the polarizing dye material.
 26. The process of claim22, wherein the parallel microgrooves are covered by a continuous layerof the polarizing dye material.
 27. The process of claim 22, wherein theparallel microgrooves are formed on the outer face of the transparentcomposite film with the aid of a slightly abrasive rubbing of the saidouter face.
 28. The process of claim 27, wherein the outer face of thetransparent composite film is rubbed by using a soft cloth andabrasives.
 29. The process of claim 23, wherein the process furthercomprises, prior to applying the polarizing dye material, a cleaningstep of the outer face of the transparent composite film provided withthe microgrooves.
 30. The process of claim 29, wherein the cleaning stepcomprises: rinsing with water the outer face of the transparentcomposite film, and then washing it with a soft cloth, rinsing againwith deionized water the said outer face of the transparent compositefilm, and then drying it. 31-35. (canceled)
 36. The process of claim 23,wherein the inorganic salts contained in the aqueous treatment solutioncomprise dehydrated barium chloride, aluminium chloride, or bariumchloride.
 37. The process of claim 22, wherein the process successivelyincludes the steps: applying a hard abrasion-resistant coating on thetransparent composite film, and, applying an anti-reflection coating onthe a hard abrasion-resistant coating, and, applying an hydrophobic topcoat on the anti-reflection coating.